FREDERICTON - Municipal leaders across Canada presented a unified response today to the humanitarian crisis facing Syria. The Board of Directors of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) unanimously passed an Emergency Recommendation to coordinate the efforts of cities and communities across the country to amplify the effectiveness of local initiatives already underway.

"Municipalities are critical to the success of Canada's response to this deeply troubling situation. Our cities and communities will play a key role in any effort to resettle families fleeing violence in Syria. Through our coordinated actions we can maximize the size and the effectiveness of Canada's response," said FCM President Raymond Louie.

The recommendation establishes an FCM Task Force on Refugee Resettlement to coordinate an effective response from the local government perspective. The Task Force will allow municipalities to share information and best practices. It will provide an efficient means of coordinating with our provincial, territorial and federal counterparts to meet immediate and urgent resettlement targets.

As well, the recommendation ensures FCM leverages its international local government partners to share information, best practices and strategies.

Canada's cities and communities were quick to act on the obligation facing all orders of government to do everything in their power to offer solutions to this crisis situation. Canada's biggest cities will receive the largest number of refugees, and municipal leaders are holding public forums and working closely with refugee assistance groups to explore all possible measures to escalate our collective capacity to fully respond.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is the national voice of municipal government. In leading the municipal movement, FCM works to align federal and local priorities, recognizing that strong hometowns make for a strong Canada.